Repeated ketamine injections in synergy with antidepressants for treating refractory depression: A case showing 6‐month improvement

摘要

Abstract What is known and objective Some patients with refractory depression who fail to respond to rapid injection of standard‐dose ketamine are injected with high doses, but the safety and efficacy of this practice are unclear. Case description A 57‐year‐old woman with refractory depression whose symptoms did not improve after 20‐seconds intravenous injection of 0.5?mg/kg ketamine went into remission following eight, 1‐minute intravenous injections of 1?mg/kg ketamine delivered over a 4‐week period. By 6‐month follow‐up, no significant adverse events had occurred and cognitive function had improved. What is new and conclusion High‐dose intravenous injections of ketamine may stably improve depressive symptoms and cognitive function in patients with refractory depression who do not respond to rapid intravenous injection of standard‐dose ketamine. The high‐dose treatment appears to be associated with only mild side effects.